What you need to know about Ireland’s newly published 2018 Data Protection Bill

The Irish government has published its highly anticipated 2018 Data Protection Bill. The Bill, which broadly follows the general scheme released in May 2017, incorporates Ireland’s national implementing measures required under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) as well as a new regulatory framework for enforcing data protection laws in Ireland.

What you need to know:

> The “digital age of consent” will be 13.

> Public authorities and public bodies, including government departments and agencies, will be exempt from fines if found to be in breach of an individual’s data protection rights.

> The Data Protection Commissioner (DPC) will be given new investigative powers, including powers to gain access to electronic records.

> Company officers can be penalised if an offence is committed “with the consent or connivance of, or to be attributable to any neglect on the part of” a director, manager, secretary or other officer of the organisation.

> Non-profit bodies will be able to represent data subjects in complaints to the DPC.

The Bill is not yet set in stone as it must first pass through Seanad Éireann and Dáil Éireann. However, it must be enacted by the 6 May 2018 deadline, and also in time for the GDPR on 25 May 2018.

Do you want to know more about how the GDPR will affect your business and how to prepare? Learn from the experts about the changes the new Regulation will bring to Ireland on our one-day Certified EU GDPR Foundation Training Course in Cork, Dublin and Galway. Reserve your place today.